Tag: Kenny McIntosh fantasy football

Breaking down the Seattle Seahawks backfield

Will a new coaching staff mean major changes?

For the first time since 2009, the Seattle Seahawks will be led by someone other than Pete Carroll, who was replaced as head coach during the offseason by Mike Macdonald after he spent the previous two years as defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. Carroll was followed out the door by offensive coordinator Shane Waldron (Chicago Bears) as Macdonald tabbed University of Washington assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to be his OC.

Grubb oversaw the Huskies’ second-ranked passing attack a season ago, and with the trio of WRs DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, he has some quality options in place on the outside. He won’t abandon the run, though, with a pair of recent second-round picks atop the depth chart in the form of RBs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Seattle rely on the run a little more after they finished 31st in the NFL in carries a season ago.

So, what do the changes in the Emerald City mean for fantasy owners?

Fantasy football preview: Seattle Seahawks running backs

Just how much of a split workload should we expect?

In an era where running backs have become a devalued commodity in the NFL, the Seattle Seahawks have found a way to consistently build an offense around a strong running game. Back when Russell Wilson was viewed as little more than a game manager, a power-running game revolving around Marshawn Lynch helped Seattle get to two Super Bowls.

Although the names have changed in the ensuing years, whether it was Chris Carson or Rashaad Penny or the emergence of Kenneth Walker III last season, the Seahawks have maintained a strong running game by systematically infusing in young talent. Head coach Pete Carroll hasn’t been blindly loyal to anyone since Lynch – showing a willingness to ride with the hot hand as a new talent emerges.

The top four running backs currently on Seattle’s roster have a combined four years of NFL experience – DeeJay Dallas is the veteran of the group with three years in the league, followed by Walker with one year and rookies Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh. There is a pecking order for now, but, as we’ve learned over the years, nothing is set in stone with Carroll’s offense.